Regular consumption of Armagnac can help prevent thrombosis and heart attacks and aid weight loss, scientists have discovered.
The research, carried out in 2005 and published in the scientific journal Thrombosis Research, showed that Armagnac, with or without alcohol, helped prevent the accumulation of blood platelets which cause thrombosis in the arteries.
A team at the University of Bordeaux, headed by professor of pharmacology Nicholas Moore, have since researched the effects of Armagnac on weight loss.
Laboratory rats were fed a high-fat diet and regular, moderate doses of Armagnac.
Compared with rats who were fed the same diet but with pure ethanol in place of Armagnac, the Armagnac rats showed significantly less weight gain.
This proves, the Bordeaux team says, that it is a specific quality of the Armagnac, believed to be extracts from the grapes or the Gascon wood used to age the spirit, that help reduce weight gain.
Written by Sophie Montagne
